Whale Tales................

Single line drawn from one ocular corner to the other.
White clouds firmly tethered to shadows.
What is close at hand must first appear on the horizon.
What is cast upon us always has a source.
Deng Ming~Dao

As many of you know I live in the Mountains of NH, but most of my life was spent living very close to the ocean and I will admit that my heart will always be there.

I recently attended a very fun photography workshop taught by Gale Zucker and hosted by our fiber friend Carole.  Given that the class was happening very close to my birthday and Carole lives very close to the ocean, I told Ken that I would love to spend the weekend in Plymouth and go on a Whale Watch, as I have never been on one.  I can’t even begin to tell you how wonderful it was, so I will share my day with you in pictures.

What a perfect morning!  Not a cloud in the sky and 70 degree weather…….  Did you know that my favorite bird is the Seagull?  Love em!

As we get closer to the area where the whales spend their days, these sea birds let us know we are near as they eat the same things that the whales do.  Amazing that these birds live so far from the shore.

Our first glimpse of a humpback whale enjoying himself slapping the water.  They are ginourmous!!

  One of the ways you know a whale is about to surface is you see this electric green color just under the water.  The green is the color of the many barnacles that have attached themselves to these great animals.

Bam!  There he is right beside our boat.  Simply amazing!

As we were getting ready to head back this young whale waved good bye to us.  We were fortunate enough to see somewhere between 8-10 whales.  There was a marine biologist working on board and many of the whales are ones they have been tracking over the years, but she did say that there appeared to be a number of teenaged whales that were new to them.

As we were heading back towards shore Mr. Woolen Rabbit and I were enjoying the late afternoon sun and discussing how much we enjoyed our day when we saw this heading right toward us……………..

  

Hmmmmmmmmm………………… you know there have been some Great Whites in the waters off of Cape Cod recently.

Yep…the captain of the boat saw it as well, circled back and cut his engine.  (they are very respectful of marine life and do not want the animals to be hurt by the boat).

This was not a shark, but rather an Ocean Sunfish.  These fish are actually tropical fish but are seen now and then when our Northern waters are their warmest. 

The Marine Biologist did mention that this was the best sighting she has had in almost 30 years.  Can you believe how close it was.  I could almost reach out and touch it.  What a treat!

As we pulled into the harbor I told Ken that I wanted to make this an annual birthday present………….now they won’t have to guess what to give me…right?

Comments

[tiennie]

What a great way to celebrate! I love how peaceful the ocean is.

[Lorraine]

Kim- What could be better? Whales are amazing.

I have to ask, why seagulls?

[Wool Winder]

What a fantastic present!

[Debbie]

The pictures are wonderful! Thanks for sharing. I didn't realize you could see that species of whale there. I may have to take a drive, there, myself. I would love to take a photography class, as well. I trust you learned some great techniques to share!

[vanessa]

very cool!

[Ashley]

MOM! Those pictures are rediculous! I really thought you were going to tell me you saw Jaws. But the fish was incredible! I am glad you enjoyed your birthday (: So cool

[Laurie]

WHat a very very cool day! I don't even know what an ocean based sunfish is.

[Linda M]

Wow, your post reminded me of some of my wonderful times visiting my sister in Sagamore Beach. On a good year I can talk everyone into going on a whale watch! So glad you had a good time.

[Jody Mellenthin]

Oh Kim, I am so glad that you had such a good time! It's not the same if the whales don't show up for the party!! I am happy for you and appreciate the beautiful pics. Reminds me of the two watches I was privileged to go on - thank you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

[TeresaC]

This is a beautiful post! I have a feeling I will come back to it over the long, cold winter.

[Julie]

Beautiful pictures; thanks for sharing them with us!

I have been on a couple whale watches and they were wonderful!

[Rosemary McN]

Wonderful post! Now if you'd publish the shows you'll be at, I can enrich my stash also. But either way, a very Happy Birthday to you Kim!

[Teyani]

that is amazing.
all of it - the day, the great photos and the cool sighting of such unusual fish.
Happy Birthday once again - it's a fabulous idea for an annual present.

[Manise]

What a wonderful birthday present! We used to go on biologist led whale watches out of Provincetown when my kids were younger- it was one of our favorite Cape Cod activities each summer. There's nothing quite like seeing them up close and personal. Lucky you to have seen the sunfish! Your photos are awesome.

[anne]

oh, what a beautiful weekend; thank you for the great photos and happy birthday!

[Renee]

That is fantastic!! What a day and amazing pictures!

[ChristyH]

How wonderful and exciting!!!!!

[anmiryam]

Totally fabulous pictures, Kim. Thanks so much for sharing them!

[Anne]

FANTASTIC pics. I hadn't even heard of a sunfish before, and now I've seen a really cool picture of one.

Thanks, Kim - looks like a really perfect birthday day!

[Chery]

Wonderful present! Love your pictures.

[Carole]

Dale was just asking me yesterday if I had talked to you because he wanted to know if you saw whales. Now I can tell him to come read your post! Looks like a great day and I love seeing pictures of Plymouth on your blog! I know exactly where you took them and I think that's so cool.

[Cheryl S.]

Awesome! I've seen whales a few times, but never a sunfish. What an exciting day!